The 1992 campaign was hard-fought. Clinton made the economy his weapon, tapping into many Americans’ economic anxieties. Bush also faced challenges from fellow Texan, H. Ross Perot’s independent campaign.

“We have fought the good fight,” Bush told his supporters on Election Night, “and we’ve kept the faith.”

When it came time for the transition of power, Bush’s words were simple and kind: “You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.”

In a Saturday column published by the Washington Post, Clinton said Bush’s letter revealed “the heart of who he was … He was an honorable, gracious and decent man who believed in the United States, our Constitution, our institutions and our shared future.”

During 2016’s historically divisive campaign, then presidential candidate and former first lady Hillary Clinton shared the letter as a call for unity. Rereading the letter “moved me to tears, just like it did all those years ago,” she wrote.

The letter is again being widely shared on social media as a tribute to Bush. “A fine letter to be remembered by,” mused author Stig Abell.

When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.

I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.

There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.

You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.